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Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the presidential debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.
Robert A. Reeder

Told of Giuliani's contributions to Planned Parenthood, Clemson University political science professor Dave Woodard said, "If he actually gave money to Planned Parenthood, boy, that puts him in a very precarious position, at least in the South Carolina Republican Party."

A Republican, Woodard noted that a personal contribution is something that is difficult to explain away to abortion opponents. "This isn't something like where your position is misunderstood," he said. "An overt act of giving money shows support for a position. That can't be a mistake or misinterpretation."

Merle Black, an Emory University political science professor and author, along with his brother, of a new book on American politics, "Divided America," agreed that the contributions would again push Giuliani "on the defensive" on the issue.

"He's got to change the subject or come up with much more effective answers than he had (at the debate)," said Black.

Still, Black noted that there are "a lot more issues" than just abortion and that Giuliani's strength on national security -- along with the enhanced importance of more moderate states like California, Florida, New York and New Jersey in the GOP primary process -- could lessen the social litmus test.

Amy Walter, a political analyst with the Cook Political Report who is set to take over The Hotline next month, said Giuliani's past contributions and current rhetoric could combine to make him look like an opportunist. The issue threatens to go to "the heart of what opponents of Giuliani are hoping to do, which is undermine him on his greatest strength, which is his credibility and leadership."

The effort, Walter said, is not just to portray him as "not conservative enough, but to try to chip away at the image of a leader and nonpolitician."

Spokesmen for Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain said their candidates have never donated to abortion-rights groups. (Romney gave to a Massachusetts anti-abortion-rights organization last year.)

Founded in New York City by Margaret Sanger in 1916, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has 860 locations around the country. In addition to providing abortions, the organization also provides birth control, emergency contraception, testing for STDs and other gynecological services.

In 2005, the last year for which a Planned Parenthood representative could provide statistics, the organization performed 264,943 abortions and distributed more than 1.2 million emergency contraception kits.

UPDATE: Following a speech Giuliani gave to the Heritage Foundation in Washington last night, I asked him why he would give money to the abortion rights organization.

"I'll have to look at that," he said before launching into his message about personally opposing the procedure but supporting a woman's right to choose.

When I followed up about why, if he was personally opposed to abortion, he would give his own money to an abortion rights group, he held firm.

"All's I can tell you are what my views are," he responded before again explaining again a stance of personal opposition but public support for legalized abortion.

What scares me about this guy is he actually said that the Iranians let the hostages go because Ron Reagan looked them in the eye. I don't believe that he actually believes that foreign policy can be conducted this way , but it is amazing how stupid he thinks the average American is.

Instead for reality based leadership all we will get from Julie is emotionally based manipulation.

This is one of those total non-issues that will end up being slathered all over Fox News, et al, even when it means almost nothing. As another poster noted, giving to PP doesn't mean that you're necessarily pro-abortion...it might actually mean that you care about giving to an organization that also offers women alternatives. You know, the "planned" part of the concept. Also, it's possible that Donna gave the money, isn't it? I am no fan of Guiliani's. I think he's a total lightweight who has drifted along on the wake of 9/11, his personal perfect storm. But this shouldn't be the issue that sends him packing...that should be his utter incompetence. Pilt

Greg Love those daily death roundups of yours. Why not break it down in to type of wound, how long did it take to die and were they in a lot of pain? I know from several of your posts that you really do see dead people!

I think Giuliani's greatest feat is that in the middle of total chaos, he had the presence of mind to notice that a camera crew was preceding him down the street ... with the camera pointed squarely at himself. What better time to begin barking orders, looking in control, and appearing authoritative? Beyond that, Giuliani has been dining out on 9-11 way too long. Still I feel a little sad that he may be sacrificed by the Republican southern base, not only for his contributions to planned parenthood, but because he is a "Yankee."

"If he actually gave money to Planned Parenthood, boy, that puts him in a very precarious position, at least in the South Carolina Republican Party." A Republican, Woodard noted that a personal contribution is something that is difficult to explain away to abortion opponents. "This isn't something like where your position is misunderstood," he said. "An overt act of giving money shows support for a position. That can't be a mistake or misinterpretation." No matter what, Rudi believes in Womens Rights and that includes abortion. Let the Republics sort that one out, he he. As for Vlad the Irrelevant, you are the poster child for abortion. Enjoy.

Didi, Why is it that you label anyone who is opposed to your point of view either a degenerate or religous wacko. I happen to think abortion is wrong in most circumstances. There are time when it is appropriate. The total worship of abortion as a fundamental human right is appalling. If that makes me a religeous wacko so be it. However, if you believe it is OK to abort just because it might not fit into your current plans, under the current rulings, that is your right. But what does that make you if by opposing you I am considered a religeous wacko. Does that make you a Godless wacko? a murderous wacko or a progressive?

your not going to vote for him, or against him, in the primary anyway, so your opinion right now, is just as relevant as all the lib polls that put him on top !!

TO ALL !!

take it from a registered Republican !! who registered into the GOP just to do it !! i was already listed as a Independent. and i stood in line. to join the GOP, because of abortion first, and because the dem's are feckless second, !!

and to one-day vote in a primary ( 6 yrs later, in "08")

Giuliani has got ZERO shot at the nomination !!

i like the man,

i respect the man,

i think he is a good man,

i wouldn't vote for him, if he was my father, brother, or if you put a gun to my head !!

LIFE !!! EVERYONE !! LIFE !!

" the right to LIFE, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

abortion is murder !! and if you think the GOP will vote to continue this scourge of genocide against the unborn child, than you just a Northeaster or West-coast person, who doesnt have a pulse on the rest on Middle-America !!

i live in New England !! i dont vote for none of the sorry GOP candidates, that come along in my state, cause there all RINO's !!

McCain or Thompson will be the candidate !! and i dont care what the New York Times, CBS, MTV, lib polls say !!

buying Girl Scout cookies, in the Northeast Chapter, also helps kill the unborn, for the G.Scouts donate to planned parenthood !! lets put a stop to that too !!!

Abortion is murder, shame on the USA for this crime against humanity !!

In 2005, the last year for which a Planned Parenthood representative could provide statistics, the organization performed 264,943 abortions and distributed more than 1.2 million emergency contraception kits.

So if the 1.3 million per year statistic is correct Planned Parenthood accounted for about 20% of the abortions in 2005. Way to go!

Planned Parenthood! Burn him in the fires of hell. Make him stand on his head for eternity in three feet of sh*t. I give to Unplanned Parenthood. They encourage getting married and having as many kids as you can pop out. That way you swell the of your congregation, be it catholic, evangelical, unitarian--whatever-- as much as possible and more believers overpopulate the earth. What could be wrong with that? We're all gonna die eventually, anyway. At least most of us are.

Neosteve, it's the single issue voters who are the wackos. It's quite a coincidence that every anti abortion activist I ever knew or knew of were just that. So it's easy to call them religious wackos. Until they realize that war is as damaging or more damaging to humanity I'll continue to call them what they are.

LOL. Perfect. Just perfect. This is the first of hundreds of decisions that Guiliani has made that will have the immoral religious right wing of the republican party up in arms. The fascist Christian fundamentalists view Planned Parenthood as the Auschwitz of abortion. Now, Guiliani is a financier of genocide.

I love this. This party has was hijacked by fundamental Christians nearly three decades ago, and their influence and power has, in conjunction with the neo-conservatives, put the republican party on the edge of collapse. They stole and corrupted the definition of conservatism and left liberty and freedom in their wake. Now, they will destroy the candidacy of one of the so-called "top three" over their hatred of responsible sexual policy.

So, now we await the next candidates slaughter and sacrifice.

It should not be long before the thumpers come on in and hijack this thread. Warm it up, Kris!